Last season we did an article on Ander Herrera's quotes after an FA Cup tie away to Yeovil, where he spoke of his love of the atmosphere in a small stadium and how he believed that the early rounds of cup compeitions were what football was all about. At the time, Herrera had not yet found a role in the United team, and was up and down with his form, but from the reaction of Manchester United fans to those quotes it was clear that they had embraced the Spaniard following his arrival from Bilbao.
Later in the season Ander Herrera would play a key role in the tactical shift that saw United recapture some good, consistent form and made a charge that ultimately saw them finish in the top four, but to start this season out Juan Mata's best friend forever had been left on the bench for the first four games, coinciding with a goal drought at the club. Herrera made his first start against Club Brugge midweek, and lo-and-behold United scored four and could have had eight in the match. Of course, United fans will be well aware of this, but that point here is that Ander Herrera's stock is very high right now.
That stock is set to rise once more, as Herrera has come out with the type of quotes that seriously endear players, especially foreign players, to a club's fanbase, as he revealed what he is willing to do for his team:
Herrera: "If the manager wants me to play I am going to be ready, if the manager wants me to wait, I am going to wait. I am a team player."
— Rahul Singh (@forevruntd) August 27, 2015
Herrera: "I am realistic and sincere, and this is the way I think I am going to get my chance."
— Rahul Singh (@forevruntd) August 27, 2015
Herrera: "I think I try to help my teammates, I try to offer myself. I'm a team player, I don't think about me, I think about the team."
— Rahul Singh (@forevruntd) August 27, 2015
If there were any doubts about how Herrera sees himself as a "team first" player, then surely they can be cast aside with a quick look at his assist for Wayne Rooney on Wednesday night:
The #FreeHerrera movement on twitter had been crying out for his inclusion since the beginning of the season. Frustrated by the inconsistent play of Adnan Januzaj in the #10 role for Man United and the lack of chances being created, the fans wanted to see Herrera played there.
Initially against Club Brugge, Herrera was played in central midfield alongside Michael Carrick, but with Louis Van Gaal making a tactical change to move Herrera who was clearly struggling in a two-man midfield to a more advanced position, and then seeing the remarkable jump in his productivity, United supporters will be hoping that the penny has dropped and Ander Herrera will be starting in a three-man midfield behind Wayne Rooney at Swansea on Sunday.
